Assistive food and beverage tray

ABSTRACT

A tray for carrying food, beverages or other items has a surface partitioned to carry such food and beverage products. At least one corner of the tray extends laterally outward from the surface of the tray. This extension serves to engage the arm of the user, thereby eliminating rotational moments in two horizontal axes of the tray and preventing rotation of the tray about the two horizontal axes.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from provisional application No. 60/666,008 filed on Apr. 20, 2005 to the extent allowed by law.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tray for carrying food, beverages, and the like that allows a user having partial or normal arm functions to support the tray in a horizontal position with one arm.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Trays for carrying food and beverages from a food dispensing area, such as a cafeteria line, to an eating table are commonly used in food service establishments such as cafeterias. Conventional trays have consisted of a shallow flat support surface with slightly raised edges or rims used for carrying food and beverage items. Additionally, many of these conventional tray designs have included various sized partitions and beverage container holders to keep food and beverage items stationary on the tray during transport.

Individuals with partial arm functions, such as partial or full amputees, those with brachial plexus injury, paraplegics, and anyone with an illness, injury or condition who is required to support and balance his/her food and beverage tray with one hand or with only minimal support from the second hand, experience serious difficulty in balancing a tray full of food and beverages while walking to an eating table. Presently available food and beverage trays do not provide balance or stability when used by individuals with partial arm functions.

Various designs for trays or devices for carrying food and beverages are disclosed in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 6,832,687 entitled “Beverage and Food Carrier” and U.S. Pat. No. 6,752,288 entitled “Expandable Serving Tray” disclose food trays and carrying devices for persons with normal arm functions. Neither of the disclosures in these patents teach or suggest a tray which is designed for use by people with partial arm functions. Further, none of the food trays disclosed in the prior art are designed to be supported by a user in a manner that reduces the twisting moment acting on the tray, thus making the tray easier to carry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of one embodiment of the invention is to provide a tray device which can be used by people with partial arm functions to help increase their independence. The improved tray includes an ergonomic shape with contoured edges for easier carrying. An optional feature of the present invention is the provision of enlarged rims for better gripping of the tray.

An important feature of an embodiment of the tray is an aperture structure that allows for arm placement by the user. The aperture is strategically positioned on the tray to allow the user to slide an arm through the aperture and rest the underside of the tray on the corresponding forearm. This feature allows easier transport of food or beverage items through improved support of the transported items as most of the force from the weight of the items is shifted back to the forearm and bicep muscles of the user. The tray of this embodiment is also designed to allow the user to locate the side of the aperture above the bent elbow if necessary for additional support while in use. The other “free” hand can either hold onto the tray for further stability or be used for other activities. The tray can also be reversible, having two opposite partitioned surfaces for use with either the left or right hand extended through the aperture structure.

The contoured edges of another embodiment of the tray provide for additional support by allowing the user to rest the tray against the hips or abdomen. This reduces the weight necessary to be supported by the user's arm muscles alone and provides for easier transport of items on the tray. The rims or edges of the tray are wider and thicker than conventional trays in an embodiment which allows the user's fingers to clasp on and hold the tray at the edges comfortably. Less effort is required in gripping a larger surface area. In another embodiment, the tray has one or more grip handles extending downward from the rim of the tray allowing a user with a deformed or clawed hand to grasp the tray more easily.

A cup or beverage holder is also incorporated into the design by a shape specific partition. The cup holder therefore allows for easier carrying of an open drink without the spillage concerns of prior tray designs. The tray is designed to be light, durable, and easy to use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the assistive food tray of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the opposite side of the tray shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tray shown in FIG. 1, showing the aperture in a closer view;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-4; illustrating a beverage product supported on a portion of the tray without tilting the tray;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing how rotational forces are eliminated along two axes when the tray of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 is used;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a modified form of the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the underside of the alternative embodiment of the tray shown in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-5 show different views of the illustrated embodiment of the food tray device 10. The tray 10 is manufactured from a light durable material or combination of materials that provide for improved resistance to wear and tear and for ease of carrying, such as plastic, paperboard, or the like. The tray 10 is contoured in the horizontal plane to allow a plurality of trays 10 to be neatly stacked one on top of the other. Each tray 10 has a first surface 12 adapted for carrying food, beverages or other products. The first surface 12 of the tray 10 is divided into at least one partition 13, having an edge 16 forming a rim 18 that extends vertically outward from the surface 12 to define a cavity for holding food, beverage, and other items. In the illustrated embodiment, the corners of rim 18 are rounded; however, other corner shapes may be adopted. The partition 13, designed to keep food products on the tray, can be any desired number, size or shape. The food partition or partitions 13 in the illustrated embodiment can hold a regular size plate of food and can also be used to carry beverages if desired. The first surface 12 of the illustrated embodiment also includes a cup holder partition 14 specifically shaped to hold a cup or other beverage container. The tray 10 also includes rounded edges 16 on the outer boundary of the tray. These rounded edges 16 extend to include enlarged rims 18 for easier gripping of the tray when necessary.

The illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 includes an extending exterior portion 19 having an aperture 20 extending through the tray 10, the aperture 20 strategically positioned near a side or corner of the tray 10. This structure is designed and located to allow a user to slide his or her arm through the aperture 20 to rest the underside 26 (FIG. 2) of the tray 10 on the forearm of the user. The user slides an arm through the aperture 20 until the side 28 of the aperture 20 is located just above the elbow or otherwise in a comfortable position, such that the forearm and hand supports the underside 26 of the tray. The aperture 20, as shown, allows the user to provide a strong support for the tray 10 while transporting items on the tray because the majority of weight of the transported items is shifted to the forearm and bicep of the user. The other “free” hand can either hold onto the rim 18 of the tray 10 for further stability or be used for other activities.

The user is not required to grasp the tray with one or both hands in order to transport the weight as with conventional tray designs. This makes the tray ideal for persons with partial arm functions or for amputees who can only make use of one arm. The tray 10 of the illustrated embodiment can also be reversible, having two opposite partitioned surfaces 12 (FIGS. 1 and 2) for use with either the left or right hand through the aperture 20. The edges 16 and raised rim 18 are part of an ergonomic design that helps to provide enhanced support for the user.

The cup holder partition 14 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is an optional feature of the tray 10 design. The diameter and height of the cup holder partition 14 is chosen so that any standard sized cup or a canned or bottled beverage will sit firmly in the cup holder 14, preventing spillage. In FIGS. 1-5, the cup holder partition 14 is strategically located close to the aperture 20 to reduce the moment of force acting upon the tray 10, thus making it easier to transport open beverages and other items on the tray 10.

FIG. 2 shows the second or underside surface 12 of the illustrated embodiment. The tray 10 is reversible and allows a user to support the tray via the aperture 20 with either the right or left arm. Each surface 12 is therefore functionally identical for the user.

FIG. 5 shows a user carrying the tray 10 and easily supporting weight from a bottle 21 partially filled with liquid as shown. The side 28 of aperture structure 20 is adapted to rest upon and be partially supported by the user's arm located just above the elbow. The tray 10, being thus supported on the user's arm, provides steadier transport of food or beverage products for persons with partial or normal arm functions where spillage may have occurred in prior tray designs. Support of the tray 10 with one arm via the aperture 20 reduces the moment of force and the rotational pull on the tray while in use. Adding weight to the tray 10 at any point while supported by the user's arm will not result in tipping or spillage. In an embodiment of the invention, the surface 12 can also include an undulated or similar design molded into or otherwise applied to the surface 12 to limit movement and slippage of items on the tray. FIG. 6 illustrates the elimination of the rotational forces acting on tray 10 along horizontal axes X (44) and Z (46), thereby preventing spills, when the illustrated embodiment is used as shown in FIG. 5.

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 illustrate alternative embodiments of the food tray. The trays in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 are also manufactured from a light, durable material or combination of materials, that provide for improved resistance to wear and tear and for ease of carrying, such as plastic, paperboard or the like. The tray 24 (FIG. 7) has a surface 25 with at least one partition 27 for carrying food products. The tray 24 also includes an edge 32 which forms a raised rim 34, extending vertically upward and around the surface, and at least two corners 40. The corners 40 and the edge 32 are part of an ergonomic design that provides enhanced support for the user by extending vertically outward from the surface 25 of the tray 24 to form extended support surfaces 36 of a contoured design. The side 38 of the extended exterior support surfaces 36 is contoured to make contact with the user's body, partially extending around the hips and abdomen to provide further support while at the same time providing comfort for the user. The user is able to distribute more weight from the load through the tray 24 onto the hips and abdomen, making transport of items on the tray much easier. The design of the tray 24 allows extended support surfaces 36 to be held under or over the user's forearms during transport of the tray 24, thereby relieving stress on the arms and wrists. The raised rim 34 formed from the edges 32 provides an added support feature. The rim 34 allows easier gripping of the tray 24 by the user, as minimal effort is required for gripping this larger surface area. The tray 24 of FIG. 7 is contoured in the horizontal plane to allow a plurality of trays 24 to be neatly stacked one on top of the other.

The second alternative embodiment in FIG. 8 also includes one or more cup or beverage holders 42 located at the corners 40 of the tray 30, making it easier to transport beverages and other food items on the tray. This alternative embodiment also includes extended support surfaces 36 for the same purpose as the extended support surfaces 36 shown in the embodiment of FIG. 7. The tray 30 shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 also includes one or more grip handles 48 extending downward from the rim of the tray 30, the grip handles being adapted to be gripped by a user with a deformed or clawed hand. The grip handles 48 extend laterally along the edge of the tray 30 and are integrally formed with the tray 30 in the illustrated embodiment, further providing improved support for the user and making it easier to transport items on the tray.

The tray 30 of FIGS. 8 and 9 is contoured in the vertical and horizontal planes to enable one tray 30 to nest inside an adjacent tray 30 when a plurality of trays 30 are stacked one on top of the other.

In an embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, the surfaces 25 (FIG. 7) and 31 (FIG. 8) can also include an undulated or similar design molded into or otherwise applied to the surfaces 25 and 31 to limit movement and slippage of items on the tray.

The foregoing description of an illustrated embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. The description was selected to best explain the principles of the invention and practical application of these principles to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by the specification, but be defined by the claims set forth below. 

1. A tray for carrying food and beverage products and the like, comprising: a first surface on the tray, the surface adapted to carry food, beverage and other items; a second surface on the tray, the second surface opposite the first surface, the second surface adapted to carry food, beverage and other items when the tray is inverted; a portion of the tray having an aperture extending through the tray, the aperture adapted to receive either forearm of a user, the tray adapted to rest upon and be partially supported by the forearm of the user.
 2. The tray of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second surfaces comprises at least one partition, the partition defined by sidewall portions extending outwardly from at least one of said first and second surfaces, the partition defining a cavity adapted to hold said food, beverage and other items in place on said at least one surface.
 3. The tray of claim 2 wherein the at least one of said first and second surfaces includes a plurality of cavities.
 4. The tray of claim 1 wherein each of the surfaces includes an edge extending around the tray to form a rim, the rim extending in a direction away from each of the surfaces to provide a raised rim relative to each surface.
 5. The tray of claim 1, wherein the aperture extends through an edge portion of the tray.
 6. The tray of claim 5, wherein the portion of the tray comprising the aperture extends in a lateral direction outward from the edge portion of the tray.
 7. A tray for carrying food and beverage products and the like, comprising: a surface on the tray, the first surface having a raised edge extending around the tray forming a rim around the surface, the tray having at least two corners; each of the two corners extending laterally outward from the surface of the tray, each extended corner forming tray support surfaces.
 8. The tray of claim 7, wherein the tray is adapted to be held by the laterally extending forearm of a user, each of the tray support surfaces adapted to contact a portion of the forearm of the user to provide partial support for the tray.
 9. The tray of claim 7, wherein a portion of the rim extending between the at least two corners is defined by a curved contour.
 10. The tray of claim 9, wherein the curved contour portion of the rim is adapted to abut the abdomen of a user as the user holds the tray.
 11. The tray of claim 7, further comprising at least one grip handle extending downward from the rim of the tray, the grip handle adapted to be gripped by a deformed hand of a user.
 12. The tray of claim 11 wherein the at least one grip handle is integrally formed with the tray.
 13. The tray of claim 11, wherein the at least one grip handle extends along at least one lateral edge of the tray.
 14. A tray for holding food and beverage products and the like, comprising: a surface on the tray, the surface adapted to carry food, beverage and other items; at least one corner of the tray having an exterior portion extending laterally outward from the at least one corner; the extending exterior portion adapted to engage the arm of a user, the engagement of the extending exterior portion with the arm eliminating rotational moments in two horizontal axes of the tray and preventing rotation of the tray about the two horizontal axes. 